As I sit here with my foot elevated in bed, I reflect on the accident that led me to this moment. It happened in the blink of an eye — I wasn’t fully present in my body, and I ended up rolling my foot while my leg was asleep, causing me to fall and fracture my 5th metatarsal. A few days after the injury, the topic of this post came to me as I processed the aftermath. The experience of pain often leads us to a stillness, a space where we can sit with our emotions, our discomfort, and the lessons hidden within.
Initially, I allowed myself to fully feel the weight of the emotions that came with the injury. The frustration, the disappointment, the confusion — all of it. But instead of spiraling into self-pity, I chose to listen to a podcast about healing (link below). And it’s from that listening, reflecting, and deepening into the present moment that the idea of "the wound is the way" began to emerge.
Now, I know that for some, especially those who have experienced trauma, the phrase “the wound is the way” can feel triggering or dismissive. It’s important to acknowledge that traumatic experiences are painful, often unjust, and deeply distressing. What I’m not saying is that pain or trauma should be minimized or ignored. Rather, what I’ve come to realize — and am still learning — is that within every wound lies an opportunity for growth, wisdom, and transformation. Sometimes, these wounds serve as wake-up calls, urging us to pivot from our old path and embrace a new direction, one that is more aligned with our truth.
Unfortunately, many of us have been conditioned to view these moments as something to be ashamed of. We judge ourselves, the people involved, and the situation itself. We resist reality and often try to numb or distract ourselves with busyness, victimhood, or avoidance. Why do we do this? Because we’ve been taught to fear the wound, to see pain, darkness, and discomfort as something "bad" or as an enemy. In truth, pain and discomfort are simply signs that we’ve strayed from our path, a compass urging us to correct our course.
There’s a simple yet profound concept in Ayurveda, a holistic system of living from India, that when we are out of balance, the opposite action brings us back into harmony. For example, I’ve injured my foot, so my body’s message to me is to rest. Or, if your mind is racing and overactive, the opposite action is to slow down and focus on stillness. A simple practice like taking five minutes each day to focus on your breath and consciously slow it down can bring profound healing.
Ultimately, our discomforts, traumas, and contractions have the potential to catalyze us into a more balanced, holistic, and joyful life. Healing doesn’t mean we become completely "fixed" or "perfect." Instead, it’s an ongoing journey of returning to wholeness — a process of remembering our natural state of peace, presence, and vitality.
Sometimes, it takes what we call a “dark night of the soul” to fully appreciate the contrast of life. These challenging moments give us perspective and encourage us to stay present to the full spectrum of human experience. Lately, I’ve been practicing a mindset that any person, experience, or situation that arises — whether pleasant or unpleasant — is here for my growth. Of course, this philosophy isn’t always easy to apply, especially in the early stages of healing or in the face of deep trauma. It’s important to allow ourselves the space to grieve, to feel, and to process without rushing to find meaning.
What I’ve learned, though, is that once I allow myself to fully feel, let go of my judgments and stories, and return to a place of compassion, I am open to the growth that follows. It’s not about bypassing the pain, but about embracing it with curiosity and tenderness.
A key practice I’ve adopted in this process is self-compassion. Today, during meditation, I sat with restlessness in my mind and practiced a simple self-compassion meditation. It goes like this:
First round:
May I be safe.
May I be peaceful.
May I be kind to myself.
May I accept myself as I am.
Repeat 6x.
Second round:
May I be safe.
May I be peaceful.
May I be kind to myself.
May I accept my life as it is.
Repeat 6x.
These simple affirmations are revolutionary in their ability to shift our energy. How often do we judge ourselves and our lives? How much suffering have we caused by our own hands? For me, it's been a lot, and I extend compassion to myself and others who have done the same.
When we come to terms with our imperfections, with the fact that we are living in an imperfect world, we can start to see that suffering is not a punishment, but a part of the human experience. It’s a process of growth, evolution, and if we choose, it can be a path toward greater good and our fullest potential.
So, I’ll leave you with this quote from Rumi:
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.
The wound is the place where the light enters you.
Be patient where you sit in the dark. The dawn is coming.”
~Rumi
If you are seeking support on your healing journey I offer 1-1 mentoring learn more at
Sending prayers of compassion, healing, and openness to receive with ease and grace.
Mucho Amor,
Amanda Luna
Amanda Luna, Amanda is the co-founder of Ecomaste, a passionate herbalist, and a
Holistic Wellbeing Guide. She intertwines her love for the natural world through various forms of herbalism, mindfulness and movement medicine like qi-gong, yoga, dance and art.
With a mission to support love, harmony, and wholeness for people, beings, and lands, Amanda strives to rebuild regenerative relationships with the Earth and guide others towards balance and holistic wellness through her compassionate and intuitive approach.
Click below to Learn more about Amanda Luna & her ongoing & upcoming offerings:
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